Testimonials

Rachel Farhi, M.A. (Lond), R.S.A. Dip. Specialist Employment Consultant, London District“From what I have seen, the 1Touch system has provided a unique and tailored solution to the issue of visually-impaired people gaining some kind of self-confidence in personal security. I originally got in touch with Steve on behalf of a blinded soldier who wanted to do martial arts but not judo and I soon discovered that the 1Touch programme is the only thing of its kind which fit the bill. Steve very kindly gave up a day to offer some free instruction to a group of our VI soldiers and they all appreciated the experience greatly. Watching from the touch line myself, it was wonderful to see them moving freely around and regaining some confidence in tackling an unwanted assault. I look forward to the programme developing and reaching out to the wider blind veteran community.”

Kerry Levins, Blind Veterans UK Trustee“As a member and Trustee of Blind Veterans UK I was struck by the significant boost to self-confidence that could be delivered by the 1Touch Program. At the same time as providing valuable techniques to bring a sense of security to one's physical well-being it also provides a better understanding of the world around us and how to move safely and efficiently within it.”

Amy Wakefield, Information and Assessment Officer, Strategic Commissioning & Community, London Borough of Newham“It was soooo good! I had people (customers - !!) practising the 1Touch, One Step, on guard and of course we had some really good discussions. The feedback was really positive and everyone had a smile on their faces. I demonstrated a couple of locks and everyone really wants a rolling programme to practise and learn more. The adrenalin was a-pumping! - so much so I lost my appetite for the afternoon! Haha! They loved it and I loved it too. So glad I did the course, Stephen. The benefits of the programme are massive.”

Nick French, Regional Welfare Rights Officer London & South East Region, Action for Blind People“Just wanted to say a big thank you for the 1Touch presentation that you gave to the Living with Sight Loss course a few weeks ago at Hackney. The feedback that we got on the day and also the overall feedback on the last day showed that 1Touch was one of the main highlights from the course. Thanks once again and I really look forward to working with you both in the future”

Paul George, Program Director, Disability Self-Defense Project“I enjoyed the opportunity to attend 1Touch with a few of my staff, on Friday March 24, 2017. The next time the training is offered, I will make it mandatory for all (20) staff to attend. I found 1Touch to be more than reactive. “What do I so if...?” vs, how not to be a victim. 1Touch provided facts and supporting psychologies' that most folks would never think about. I found it informative, enlightening, fun, and powerful”

Dana A. Draa, MA, CAPP, COMS, CRC, Visual Impairment Services Team (VIST) Coordinator “The 1Touch Certification training was an amazing experience for me and the other VA staff and veterans that attended. The quality of the informational materials and teaching far supersede other programs I have been a part of in the blindness community. We will have the opportunity to extend the learning to the broader community thanks to the insight and guidance from the management of this non-profit. Very highly recommended!”

Ella Hart, VA National Program Consultant“I would like to take this opportunity to thank you, Stephen, the entire 1Touch team and VA Adaptive Sports for the wonderful opportunity to attend the introductory workshop at the Atlanta VAMC. As a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist, I've served Veterans who have not only lost their vision, but their confidence as well. This course provides a hands-on experience that enables learners to take back their power! I've already recommended the 3-day certification course to blind rehab instructors and Veterans. Hopefully, the VA will sponsor training at other facilities”

Annette Jakse, Rehabilitation Teacher, Cleveland Sight Center “I found the training invaluable. I work with clients in the community and often get the comment about not wanting to use a cane because the client feels vulnerable. I am a Vision rehabilitation therapist. I am sixty-four, and have never taken any kind of self-defense. I learned so much in the one day training I would like to learn more or even be a coach. I always look at what I can pass on to the client I serve and feel I could easily teach them how to be more confident in their travel in the community with the techniques I was shown. I went home after the training and showed my thirty-four year old son what I had learned and I almost broke his hand showing him one of the moves. Don't worry I just cracked the knuckles on the last two fingers of his hand. He was impressed with what I showed him and appeared proud of what I could do to keep myself safe. Thank you so much for the opportunity to learn to keep myself safe. I will not forget what I was shown and would like to learn more, practice what I learned and help co-ordinate a group in Cleveland”

Lauren J. Lieberman Ph.D., Co-Director of The Institute of Movement Studies for Individuals with Visual Impairments, Distinguished Service Professor“Individuals who are blind or visually impaired are physically vulnerable in public places. This can lead to fear, and fear can often limit exposure to vocational, social and self-determinated experiences. 1Touch is a methodical and instructive way to teach individuals with visual impairments self-defense skills. Through 1Touch, they gain safety skills, confidence and independent movement in the community without fear”

Dave Meharg, Teacher of Visually Impaired, Florida School for the Deaf and Blind “The 1Touch self defense system developed and instructed by Stephen Nicholls was personally one of the best workshops I have ever attend. From my over 40 years of martial arts experience, I found the instruction top-notch, relevant as a self-defense for visually impaired individuals and lends to the building of self confidence and inner awareness. I would recommend this program to anyone desiring to become a coach or just learning how to defend themselves. It matters not if you are sighted or not, or that you have martial arts experience, the program is practical and with practice an individual can master the techniques within a short period of time.”

Keith Young, Florida School for the Deaf and Blind "As a physical education teacher for the visually impaired and Tae kwon do coach, I'm very impressed with the coaching certification training and approach. The program addresses a major need with the blind and can be tied in with the Expanded Core Curriculum with school-aged children. Anyone who is interested or skeptical about the 1Touch should understand that this is about self-defense, not a martial art. For the student, they will feel more empowered on how to handle difficult encounters concerning their personal safety. For the organization and parent, they should know that Mr. Nichols selects certified advanced coaches that are compassionate, competent, and confident. I fully endorse the 1Touch."

David Miller, Orientation & Mobility Specialist, Deaf-blind Services, The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. “Just want to connect and say thank you once again for a great training. Learned a lot and hope to continue polishing my understanding of effective ways of self-defense for those with visual impairments and blindness. Thumbs up for 1Touch”

Liam Whitney, Long Beach Veterans Blind Rehabilitation Center “It relayed to us what is an important missing piece of most blind rehab programs. This serves as a natural addition to Orientation and Mobility training, as nobody is going to become a seasoned traveler if their fear of being attacked prevents them from leaving their home”

Debbie Stein, National Federation of the Blind of Illinois “On behalf of all of us at the NFB of Illinois, I want to thank you for your presentations at our seminar last weekend. You really showed that blind people can learn effective techniques for staying safe in a threatening situation, and everyone learned a lot in the short time that the schedule allowed. A couple of the kids in our Freedom Link program were especially excited about the possibility of learning more.

Sonya Hauser, Optical Administrative Clerk, Winston-Salem Industries for the Blind “I really enjoyed the coaching sessions. I think it is a great empowering tool and I cannot wait to see this just blow up all around the world. I really gained a valuable tool in helping me surf this world with greater confidence. I thank all of you for the opportunity to participate…Again, thanks and I look forward to see all of you soon.”

Tessa McCarthy, PhD, North Carolina Central University“I am a typically sighted adult who has been working with children and adults who are blind and visually impaired for the last twelve years. That said, I am also a small woman who is not athletic or coordinated. After attending a presentation on the 1Touch Self Defense program, I decided to attend the coach's training because the program seemed like information I should be sharing with my students. The program just seems to have such potential to not only increase the safety of individuals who are blind and visually impaired, but to increase the sense of well being individuals have. The increased confidence and sense of well being that individuals can get from the 1Touch Project can lead to increased independence and opportunities for independent mobility. Plus, it's just cool. I'm so glad I did the training, and I didn't even have to be large or athletic to do it”

Wendy Miller, Iowa Educational Services “The 1Touch Project empowers children and adults with visual impairments, with the tools and confidence to defend themselves, under aggressive, sometimes dangerous situations. My training has enabled me to model and demonstrate how to get out of a situation; as well as; how to get away, if the person feels unsafe.”

em>Ryan Watts, Teacher/DPI, Governor Morehead School for the Blind“I can say without a doubt 1Touch has enabled me to release my own insecurities and gain more confidence as a person and an instructor! This class will challenge individuals and make one dig deep and tap into areas they didn't know existed. It was a holistic journey that I'm privileged to have had the opportunity to experience” < < p>

Jeff Altman, Orientation and Mobility Instructor, Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired“Along with proper rehabilitation training, this program has the potential to make an important difference in the lives of blind people, by helping them to develop both the sense of confidence and security that will allow them to truly achieve independence.”

Glenn Irvin, Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired“I just finished the 1Touch program, and I plan to receive my certification in six months. I think this is a great compliment to the NFB's motto, "Changing what it means to be Blind". I look forward to being able to add this as another tool in assisting my clients to regain control of their lives with a new confidence that they often feel that they have lost along with their sight. I highly recommend this program”

Cheryl Bitting, RN, North Carolina Rehabilitation Center for the Blind“This training was very informative and has given me more confidence in protecting myself and passing on information to the visually impaired/blind consumers.”

Daniel Ashman, Activities and Special Projects Coordinator, Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Vision Impaired“I get exactly what I need from 1Touch Self-Defense, personalized one-on-one attention in an environment which allowed me to learn at my pace. This program is a simple and straightforward way to present self-defense to all ages that is flexible in meeting my needs and the needs of my students. At the Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Vision Impaired we have a motto to “Live the life you've imagined”; 1Touch is another way for our students to live their life.”

Trisha Ebel, Adjustment to Vision Loss Coordinator for the State of New Jersey“On July 6th, 2014 I walked into the 1Touch workshop at the NFB (National Federation of the Blind) National convention and since then my life has never been the same. I went in wondering just how good learning hands-on tactics in a 2 hour workshop can be and by my surprise: I was amazed and I said to myself “this is so totally awesome and cool”
I was weary and hesitant before entering the convention center and could not understand just how the coaches were going to instruct a room full of blind people just how to protect themselves but let me tell you: I was so amazed and overwhelmed with happiness and I was so ecstatic that I made the choice to attend the workshop!
After the 2 hours were finished I had gained so much knowledge about protecting myself as well as finding out for myself that I am very capable of getting someone down to the ground! I left the workshop feeling 10 feet tall and on top of the world!!! I love 1Touch project so much and believe it it so much that I feel now this is what I am meant to be doing: instructing others on self-defense, helping them achieve goals that they thought were not possible!”

Lisamaria Martinez, San Francisco Lighthouse“I recently had the privilege and joy of participating in a 1Touch Coaching Certification Course. Twelve Lighthouse staff and community members took part in a three day training which just blew my mind. We covered so much material and had so much fun doing it. Although we left completely exhausted each night, we left knowing so much information, from how to distance oneself from an unwanted touch to how to file a witness report. At the conclusion of the three day seminar, we all walked away more confident, alert and ready to give back to The blindness community in the most meaningful and best way possible ... as certified 1Touch Coaches. If you are considering taking a workshop to feel more safe and confident out in the world, or if you are considering becoming a coach, don't hesitate! Just do it. This is one of the best things you can possibly do for yourself and for your community.”

Rita Harris - President/CEO, Living Life Team Inc. “As I represent Living Life Team Inc., I would like to thank you for traveling to Madison Georgia on September 25th to instruct a 1Touch Class. The support group members found the class to be very beneficial. They enjoyed learning the release techniques and especially the defense technique of twisting the wrist. Being introduced to some basic techniques and how to be aware and assess a situation makes them feel more comfortable and confident with going out in the public. In getting feedback from the members, they stated that the teaching methods you used to instruct the class and individual contact with them made it easier for them to comprehend. They are eager to continue practicing all that you taught them.
Everyone expressed that they would love for you to come work with them again. Thank you for using your passion as your work!

Patrice Maginnis -- Access Technology Specialist -- Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired“I don't think I'm overstating the truly life changing effect that the 1touch workshop had on my sense of empowerment when traveling alone as a blind person. I've already noticed since I participated in the day long workshop that I feel like I have tools to use if engaged by others , well meaning or not. It's sometimes very scary out in the world and it's also tempting to stay home where it feels safe. Steven was an excellent instructor who used humor and real life examples to keep the material he taught relevant to all kinds of possible situations. The information I received was just the boost I needed to navigate with more confidence. I also want to thank David Emanuel for arranging this workshop for the Vista clients in Santa Cruz. I hope there will be another one soon. I will beat my drum loudly to encourage other clients and volunteers to take this workshop.
Thank you again”